No one can avoid aging. After all, aging is a natural part of life. And the way we live our lives affects the way our skin looks. Fortunately, modern technology has given us dermal fillers: a non-surgical procedure to restore a youthful aging face. How do dermal fillers work?

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels used to fill wrinkles, create volume and restore skin hydration, density and elasticity. Dermal hyaluronic acid fillers are the most widely used biodegradable fillers worldwide.

The aging process inevitably affects our skin. As we age, the skin’s natural level of hyaluronic acid decreases significantly, which leads to a loss of facial volume and support. Visible signs of aging begin to appear, for example, facial creases and wrinkles form, and the skin becomes drier and thinner. All of this makes us look older. To reduce the visible signs of aging, the gel can be injected into the skin, where it acts as a filler to smooth out creases and wrinkles and restore lost volume. Increasing tissue volume with this non-surgical procedure can help restore a youthful face.

How long does the effect last?

Most modern dermal fillers are biodegradable, non-permanent fillers that eventually break down in the body. Permanent fillers, on the other hand, are fillers that remain permanently in the skin.

The persistence of dermal fillers depends on the source and degree of cross-linking, concentration and particle size of each product. Generally, biodegradable fillers have an effect that lasts from 6 to 18 months. Increased cross-linking and concentration increases viscosity and elasticity as well as resistance to degradation in the body. In other words, the greater the crosslinking and concentration of the gel, the more compact it is and the longer it retains its properties. In addition, the duration depends on the area of the procedure and the person’s lifestyle, age and skin type.

Risks associated with dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are essentially foreign elements that are injected into the skin. As with any procedure that traumatizes the surface of the skin, injections with dermal fillers are associated with risks of side effects, but also more serious complications. When a dermal filler is injected into the skin, the movement of the needle through the layers of skin can cause inflammation.

The most common side effects following procedures with dermal fillers are temporary pain, bruising, sensitivity, itching, swelling, and erythema at the injection site. These reactions are normal after injection, and they usually go away a few days after the procedure. In some cases, patients may experience longer-lasting complications after the injection. Fortunately, these complications are extremely rare.